What do you get if you cross
a sheepdog
with a rose?
A collie-flower!
Friday, April 21, 2023
TAKING THE JOURNEY
Death can come at any time – arbitrarily and instantly.
With this knowledge, how do you live? What do you do? How do you integrate that fact into your life?
seizing the day – carpe diem – and living an extraordinary life
shape the future rather than simply let it happen
“It was like the birth of the universe in my head,” he says. “All of a sudden I could see all the possibilities expanding out. It finally clicked: the actions you take really can affect your life.” Turcich
“Because the world is complex and vast, and because my general temperament is pretty timid and more towards the shy side, I wanted to be forced into adventure. The point of adventure is it’s uncomfortable and you have to grow in it.“
I ask if he found what he was looking for, he takes me back to that night under the stars in the Atacama, and the sense of his smallness in the universe. It made him feel insignificant but also feel that he could make a difference, albeit in little ways. “I came to the conclusion that it’s happiness. Happiness is the only currency for man. You try to be happy and try to create happiness. Happiness can mean a lot of different things and take a lot of different forms. But if you make the world a better place, you can leave behind gross happiness for your descendants.”
Tom Turcich
Thursday, April 20, 2023
DON’T TIPTOE
I like to dance barefooted, if you can’t do that with me, you must not be my dance partner.
MAYAPPLES
Podophyllum peltatum is an herbaceous perennial plant. Its common names are mayapple, American mandrake, wild mandrake, and ground lemon. It is widespread across most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Medicinal uses: Roots were used by Native Americans and early settlers as a liver cleanser and worm expelling. Also used for jaundice, constipation, hepatitis, fever and syphilis.
I just think it looks pretty!
VALUE
VALUE: the regard that something is to, the importance, worth or usefulness
We also judge the value of others. We personally set a value of worth on those around us, on those in politics, on those who we may not even know.
Companies may increase the value of their product by increasing the products quality. And in turn it may become more valuable to the consumer. But if the price is too high it may not earn the value of its worth to all people. The need plays a huge part in individual value as well. Such as… there is a small, red, farm tractor for sale. I drive past it daily. The sign says $3000.00 and in my head I wonder “Is that a good price for an old, used, little farm tractor? Is it worth that?
It’s red.
That should hold no baring on my value of this tractor, but it does. If it were orange or green I probably wouldn’t have acknowledged it’s presence. I do not have a need for a tractor, even one so small.
Yet I have a thing for old red tractors. So in my head, not knowing the working order of this small, red, old tractor, I thought “$3000 for that cute tractor, I would pay that.”
I won’t of course,
but that tractors value seemed fair to me. Because it appeals to me. So I took it at face value.
If I was in the market for a small red tractor I would be more incline to kick the tires and weigh its value on more durable qualifiers. Red and cute would play far less a part in my value process.
I hope I am a better judge of value when it comes to those individuals I choose to have in my life. I hope my scale of weight is far more balanced on the important traits that make up the individual. I hope I am not just charmed by their old red tractor like charm.
I hope I value them for their true worth.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
ALONG THE PATH
It was windy yesterday, and cool. I wrapped myself in my big black sweater as I drove the well worn country path. There are landmarks along my path: the fat happy cows, old barns, fields with horses and yards with chickens. Spring is working her magic and all the trees are in flower and unfurling all the shades of green. Along the way I pass the drive in (where you park on the grass and watch the double feature on lawn chairs). I pass ponds, farmers fields and darling country cottages. I pass the river several times along my path, with woods speckling throughout the farmland. Yesterday I watched a bald eagle float on the wind. He took advantage of the blustery morning and expertly rode the wind. It was a glorious sight.
I truly wish I could spend each day just enjoying the path, wherever it takes me. But yesterday I went to work, as I will today. And although I don’t anticipate seeing an Eagle every day, I will happily follow the path, wherever it takes me!
I’m thankful for everything I see.
I love where I live.
Today: as I drove that same path to work this morning. I said hello to the fat happy cows and I enjoyed all the fields of yellow flowers and new shoots of green. But as I drove I saw that a bald Eagle was napping on the paved road. My heart was so sad.
But I’m glad he soared on the wind just the day before.
Monday, April 17, 2023
DEATH
My phone rang as I was sitting in the car, I didn’t realize the number as it came across the cars dashboard.
As the call came in we were in the middle of talking about my friends mom. She is in the last stage of life and her family is close at hand. We were talking about how she had told her her children that their daddy was coming to see her.
We were talking about death and how it is so different and strange and challenging.
When my phone phone had rung, I took it out of my pocket, since I didn’t recognize the number on the dash. And there on the phone was my sweet friends name. I answered the phone and she sounded happy. She called to let me know that her mom had just passed. I told her we were just talking about her mom. How odd and interesting and what’s the word I’m looking for? I can’t find it.
But my dear friend sounded so happy. I know the worry she has carried for a very long time, I know the time and effort she has put in for years. I know the family issues that have arisen in the wake of the inevitable.
Yet, she sounded happy and light. I’m sure the relief has to be immense. Her mom is no longer suffering, she is free from all the medical issues.
I love this sweet friend. Her mom has passed, it is not a sad event, but a time to celebrate!
BRICKS
I have always loved things made of brick. I grew up in an area of the country that wrapped its houses with stucco. Brick is tidy and lovely. A friend of mine had a patio of bricks. It was beautiful. My home is made of red brick and I love it. But I saw this patio and LOVED IT!
Sunday, April 16, 2023
FLOWER BED
I spent a part of this morning in my front flowerbed. I pulled weeds and did a bit of pruning. I decided hostas and transplanted them. I fed my trees and bushes and I planted dozens of flower bulbs. With love and luck they will come up bold and beautiful. I’m hoping for a big splash of color! The purple Iris’ I was given a couple years ago are green and gargantuan. They will be opening this week. The purple bearded Iris are my favorite, but I love all the flowers. I planted three pots of onions, I’m super excited about them too! I had hoped to conquer at least part of the back flower beds, but I decided the back yard would just about do me in. So I gathered the things I need to repot the herbs I have and all the needed things to start some seeds. That will be my later afternoon project. Lunch with my Little Mayberry!
Saturday, April 15, 2023
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